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Cailean for a boy?

18 replies

ReadySteadyDrink · 02/04/2012 08:32

What do people think of this Scottish boys name? This would be for DC2 (don't know the flavour yet), and DS1 already has a Scottish name.

thanks :)

OP posts:
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lurcherlover · 02/04/2012 08:42

I think that everywhere he goes, the first question will be "how do you spell that?" when he tells people his name, or if they see it written down it'll be "and how is that pronounced?" Which will also mean people who don't know him (dr's, teachers etc) inevitably mispronouncing it. That could get a bit wearying. What about Angus or Hamish or Fraser or James?

babyblabber · 03/04/2012 13:24

i'm irish and to me it looks to like cailin which literally means "girl".

Surf25 · 03/04/2012 13:46

Am Scottish and tbh I do think it sounds a wee bit girly..
How about:
Callan
Torren
Callum
Fergus
Magnus

squoosh · 03/04/2012 13:49

Surf's suggestions are good.

Just don't pick Struan. Struan gives me the creeps.

JenniPenny88 · 03/04/2012 13:51

I like it but unfortunately I agree that it sounds a bit like a girls name :S

SpringSprungWinterAgain · 03/04/2012 18:09

The only Caelin I know a Scottish boy. Personally though i think it sounds a tad feminine. How about Struan.

MadameMessy · 03/04/2012 18:11

Is it pronounced key lan?
There is an Irish girls name pronounced the same way.
But if everyone around you would know how to spell it and know he is a boy etc them i think it sounds lovely.

OriginalJamie · 03/04/2012 18:26

I only know Caolan - is it pronounced the same way?

What about Mackenzie (Mack)
Fraser
Hamish

NormanTheForeman · 03/04/2012 18:32

It's the Scottish form of Colin and is pronounced Kay-lin. BIL and SIL called their baby Cailean in October (Scottish father, Swedish Mum, live in England).

AThingInYourLife · 03/04/2012 18:34

How is it pronounced?

My Irish says KAL-yan, but I don't speak Gaelic.

I'm not sure you should avoid names in languages other than English just because some English speakers have trouble with spelling.

AThingInYourLife · 03/04/2012 18:36

Ah, like Caelen.

I like it.

It's not girly.

mistressploppy · 03/04/2012 18:37

I know one, he's friends with my 2.6yo ds. I like it Smile

sorchatallulah · 04/04/2012 05:03

MadameMessy, I think it's the same as Caolan rather than Caoifhlionn IYSWIM - it's nice but I must admit I thought it was a "trendy" spelling of Caolan when I first read your post :X I know nothing about Gaelic though, just Irish!

Newtothisstuff · 04/04/2012 08:11

I also know a Caelan it means strong.. It's a lovely name

ReadySteadyDrink · 16/04/2012 17:42

I thought it meant strong, but if the Irish Cailin means 'girl', then maybe I should stay away.....

Does anyone know of any other Scottish boys names that end with -an or similar?

OP posts:
leftmysociallifeatthedoor · 16/04/2012 17:44

Lachlan?

Surf25 · 16/04/2012 18:08

Callan - of Scottish origin and means rock I think
Torren can also be spelt Torran I believe although have only come across the former spelling myself - also Scottish meaning brave hunter

tara0202 · 16/04/2012 18:20

I quite like it.

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